August News from the CFIDS Association

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) poses a diagnostic challenge because of the unknown mechanisms underlying the illness and the difficulty in making an objective assessment of pathological fatigue. Not surprisingly, researchers are searching for reliable biomarkers for diagnosing CFS.

Fidget. Anytime you have to stand in one place—whether it’s at the kitchen sink or in line at the post
office—keep moving. Flex your leg muscles and shift your weight to help keep blood from pooling in
your legs. If standing in an elevator, these small movements can also help your body adjust to sudden
elevation changes that can worsen your orthostatic symptoms.

Today 16 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Secretary of Health Michael Leavitt, urging him to renew the charter for the CFS Advisory Committee before it expires on September 5, 2008.

In the winter 2008 issue of the CFIDS Chronicle and subsequent editions of the CFIDSLink, the CFIDS Association of America announced its Campaign to Accelerate CFS Research—an effort to raise $1 million this year to fuel the most ambitious expansion of our research program in the Association’s 22-year history. To help break down the details and plans behind the program, Association president and CEO Kim McCleary answers some of the questions we’ve been asked most often.

They met in kindergarten in their hometown near Milwaukee, dated in middle school, went to the junior prom together, became best friends and were inseparable. And then he got sick. It came on gradually; doctors didn’t know what was wrong with him, but he was so tired he couldn’t get off the sofa. She thought he was being a jerk and, worse, that he didn’t like her any more. High school graduation came, and they went their separate ways.